LOCAL FIRE AND RESCUE PLAN FOR MIDLOTHIAN 2014-2017 Working together for a safer Scotland Contents Foreword 1 Introduction 2 Strategic Assessment 3 National Assessment 3 Equality Assessment 4 Our Values 4 Local Assessment 5 Local Operational Assessment 6 Midlothian Risk Profile 7 Priorities, Actions and Outcomes 8 1. Reduction of Dwelling Fires 8 2. Reduction in Fire Casualties and Fatalities 9 3. Reduction of Deliberate Fire Setting (not including Dwellings) 10 4. Reduction of Road Traffic Collisions 11 5. Reduction of Unwanted Fire Alarm Signals 12 Achieving Local Outcomes 13 Performance and Accountability 14 Local Scrutiny and Engagement 14 Low Carbon Scotland: Meeting the Emissions Targets 2010 - 2022 14 Review 14 Feedback 15 Local Plan Priorities cross-referenced to Key Outcome Sources; National, Local, SFRS and Equality Outcomes 16 Glossary of Terms 17 Local Fire and Rescue Plan for Midlothian 2014-17 Foreword Welcome to Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s (SFRS) local delivery plan for Midlothian. I have the responsibility for preparing this plan, securing the agreement of the Local Authority to it and being held to account for the SFRS performance in Midlothian. The plan, and indeed our strategies for service delivery are clearly aligned to the Community Planning Structure, as it is through building on our partnership activities that we will continue to contribute to the delivery of sustainable improvements in the safety of the communities we serve. This reflects our stated purpose as set out in our Strategic Plan. We will continue to analyse both historical and predictive activity, and sociodemographic data and trends, to target resources to where they are most required and work to reduce inequalities across the area. It is our duty to consider the strategic priorities for SFRS in the context of local circumstances and we remain committed to delivering local solutions where the community requires the most assistance. Through working in partnership with organisations to gain a shared understanding of local issues we will work together to deliver solutions without duplication of effort to help to build strong, safe and resilient communities within Midlothian. I am committed to ensuring that our services are delivered with the dignity and respect of everyone in mind and with consideration of the rich diversity of communities across Midlothian in supporting both community and firefighter safety. Peter Heath, Local Senior Officer Midlothian, East Lothian & Scottish Borders 1 Penicuik 3 2 Bonnyrigg 3 Dalkeith 2 4 4 Midlothian West 5 5 Midlothian East 6 Midlothian South 1 6 1 Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Introduction This plan provides information on the Scottish Fire and Rescue Services (SFRS) priorities in relation to Midlothian and how their contribution to community safety will be measured. The Community Planning Partnership arrangements that exist across Midlothian are the overall framework within which the SFRS delivers its services to local communities. By working with others, we aim to strengthen our connection with local authorities and other partners to ensure we meet the aspirations of the communities we serve. The SFRS strategic Plan 2013-2016 sets out the four key aims of the SFRS and supports the SFRS Framework. This local plan takes full account of the aims and performance measures contained within these documents and the wider priorities of the local authority Community Planning Partnership. The direction is supported by National strategic objectives to make Scotland a wealthier & fairer, smarter, healthier, safer and stronger and greener place. Through a concordat between the Scottish Government and the Convention for Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA), the strategic objectives have been extended into single outcome agreements, which include indicators and targets that provide the framework for how local authorities and their community planning partners such as the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service will deliver services. In addition to the performance framework, compliance with legislation governing the SFRS, such as the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 and the Fire and Rescue Service Framework for Scotland 2013, require the SFRS to deliver core services. These include prevention and protection, enforcement of fire safety legislation, firefighting, fire investigation and rescue from a range of other hazardous situations. The Local Senior Officer leads a team of local managers whose job it is to work within local communities and ensure that the SFRS plays its full part in delivering better outcomes for communities and contributing in a positive way to reducing inequalities in society. The local fire and rescue plan is a plan setting out: • Priorities and objectives for SFRS in connection with carrying out duties in the local authority’s area of SFRS’s functions, • The reasons for selecting each of those priorities and objectives, • How SFRS proposes to deliver those priorities and objectives, • In so far as is reasonably practicable, outcomes by reference to which delivery of those priorities and objectives can be measured, • How those priorities and objectives are expected to contribute to the delivery of any other relevant local outcomes which are identified by community planning, • Such other matters relating to the carrying out of SFRS’s functions in the local authority’s area as SFRS thinks fit. Local Fire and Rescue Plan for Midlothian 2014-17 2 Strategic Assessment A strategic assessment for the SFRS’s activities in Scotland established the type, frequency and impact of incidents that we attend. With this assessment in place the Local Senior Officer for Midlothian can effectively identify key priority areas for the SFRS to target its resources at a local level. National Assessment The Scottish Government within their National Performance Framework have identified 16 National Outcomes they wish to achieve. Through delivery of this Local Plan the SFRS in particular will contribute to the following Outcomes: • National Outcome 1: We live in a Scotland that is the most attractive place for doing business in Europe • National Outcome 4: Our young people are successful learners, confident individuals, effective contributors and responsible citizens • National Outcome 6: We live longer healthier lives • National Outcome 8: We have improved the life chances for children, young people and families at risk • National Outcome 9: We live our lives safe from crime disorder and danger • National Outcome 11: We have strong, resilient and supportive communities where people take responsibility for their own actions and how they affect others • National Outcome 12: We value and enjoy our built and natural environment and protect it and enhance it for future generations • National Outcome 15: Our people are able to maintain their independence as they get older and are able to access appropriate support when they need it • National Outcome 16: Our public services are high quality, continually improving, efficient and responsive to local people`s needs The priorities for the SFRS have been laid out in the Fire and Rescue Framework for Scotland 2013 with the following Strategic Aims defined within the Strategic Plan 2013-2016: Strategic Aim 1: Improve safety of our communities and staff Strategic Aim 2: More equitable access to Fire and Rescue Services Strategic Aim 3: Improved outcomes through partnership Strategic Aim 4: Develop a culture of continuous improvement 3 Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Equality Assessment On 30 April 2013, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service published its Equality Outcomes, in compliance with the Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) (Scotland) Regulations 2012. The SFRS Equality Outcomes are: Outcome 1: People from all Scotland’s community groups feel confident in contacting the Fire and Rescue Service for advice and information on relevant non-emergency issues Outcome 2: Disabled, LGBT, BME, older people and people from minority faiths are aware of the services provided by the SFRS, particularly how these can be adapted to meet their own individual needs Outcome 3: People from all Scotland’s community groups feel safer in their homes and on our roads Outcome 4: Establish the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service as an employer of choice for people across protected characteristics Outcome 5: Provide a positive and healthy workplace culture that welcomes, embraces and develops people from across all protected characteristics Outcome 6: People from across all communities are enabled to live lives free from hate crime, harassment and domestic abuse/violence Outcome 7: Gypsy Travellers and migrant workers are safer, better informed and confident in Scottish Fire and Rescue Service engagement Our Values Our values framework sets out what we believe to be important in supporting how we deliver our services to communities and support our own staff. At the core of this is the safety of the communities we serve and we will do our utmost to enhance and support community safety and place a high value on the safety of our firefighters. The communities of Midlothian can rightly expect to receive a first class service from the SFRS, grounded in our commitment to actively pursue our values in support of better outcomes. Local Fire and Rescue Plan for Midlothian 2014-17 4 Local Assessment The Fire Framework for Scotland 2013 and our own Strategic Plan 2014-2016 give us clear direction as to which areas we should focus our resources on to ensure we contribute to the safety and well-being of